Large-scale sea ice drift and deformation: Comparison between models and observations in the western Weddell Sea during 1992

Statistical comparisons between numerical sea ice models and an observed large‐scale strain array in the western Weddell Sea during 1992 are used to evaluate the performance of three of the more generally utilized sea ice rheology formulations. Results show that sea ice velocity is reproduced with relatively high accuracy (90% coherence, >80% normalized cross correlation) in models having high‐quality atmospheric forcing fields (e.g., the European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts). On the other hand, temporal and spatial variability of the velocity field, as exemplified by progressive vector plots and ice deformation, respectively, are reproduced less accurately (coherence and normalized cross correlation